Israeli minister helped patient obtain treatment faster — Jerusalem Post
Israeli Health Minister Haim Katz helped a seriously ill patient obtain radiation therapy more quickly at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer. A relative of the man contacted the minister after the family was told that the nearest available appointment for the procedure was only possible in three weeks.
As The Jerusalem Post noted in an editorial, the man suffered from a serious illness, was in severe pain due to a blockage, and required urgent radiation therapy. He did not want to be hospitalized. The journalist who recounted the case on social media said that Katz responded promptly after her appeal. The following morning, the medical center contacted the family, and the patient was already undergoing treatment.
The issue of equal access
The Jerusalem Post editorial board acknowledged the help provided to the patient but drew attention to the circumstances under which it was obtained. According to the publication, the ability to speed up a procedure through a personal appeal to a high-ranking official raises questions about equal access to Israel’s healthcare system.
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The publication described the case as a manifestation of the problem of so-called protekzia — obtaining services through personal connections. The editorial emphasizes that patients without acquaintances in government circles go through the usual procedure: they call, wait, submit requests, and may face a lack of available appointment slots.
Multiple ministerial responsibilities
According to The Jerusalem Post, Katz, a representative of the Likud party, oversees several ministries, including the Ministry of Health, after the Shas party left the government in July 2025. The journalist presented the story of helping her relative as an example that the minister is able to resolve problems promptly despite criticism over his large number of responsibilities.
The publication’s editorial board believes that the performance of the healthcare system should be assessed primarily by how accessible it is to people who do not have the opportunity to appeal to influential officials.
